In October, you’ll walk through a West Village townhouse designed by the best, encounter Andrea Bocelli in an intimate gala setting, explore the world of Ukrainian culture, and even take a seat at one of New York City’s most celebrated bars.These are the best events in NYC for October 2025.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 50th Anniversary

What’s happening: Since 1973, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House has united top interior designers in transforming an exceptional Manhattan property into a living exhibition of fine furnishings, art, and technology. This year marks the landmark 50th anniversary, staged inside a 9,000-square-foot, six-level 1900 townhouse at 20 West 12th Street. With 13-foot ceilings, seven fireplaces, a private garden, and much of its original architecture intact, the historic home serves as a grand canvas for designers from around the world, all contributing to benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.

Why go: The Show House is one of the most anticipated events in the design calendar, inspiring trends and showcasing over five decades of design excellence. More than 800 celebrated designers have participated since its founding, and this anniversary edition promises a rare combination of historic character and contemporary creativity. Visitors can expect to see visionary interiors, cutting-edge design solutions, and unexpected flourishes within a home that embodies both Gilded Age charm and modern luxury.

What’s involved: Tour the six-level Greenwich Village townhouse reimagined by leading designers.

Now through Sunday, October 19, 2025 with daily opening hours at 20 West 12th Street, New York, NY. Information and tickets here.

GAG New York with Baauer, Alex Chapman, Zoe Gitter & More at Elsewhere

What’s happening: Bushwick’s beloved venue Elsewhere hosts GAG New York for a five-hour club night in The Hall, where electronic and dance collide in pure late-night energy. The lineup features Baauer, the producer behind genre-defining hits and festival-shaking sets, alongside nightlife favorite Alex Chapman, rising selectors Zoe Gitter and Memphy, and scene favorite flirty800. The party promises Elsewhere’s signature atmosphere—immersive and vibrant.

Why go: This is not just another night out, but a convergence of New York’s underground pulse with international flair. Baauer’s high-voltage sets are rare in such an intimate setting, while Alex Chapman and Zoe Gitter effortlessly shift between high pop and deep cuts. Elsewhere has become a cultural anchor in Brooklyn’s nightlife, known for its creativity, inclusivity, and no-phones-on-the-dance-floor ethos. To be there is to be immersed in a community-driven experience that values music, freedom, and joy until dawn.

What’s involved: DJ sets and dancing.

Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 11:00 PM until 4:00 AM at Elsewhere, 599 Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237. Information and tickets here.

Experience the All-New 2025 Lincoln Black Label Navigator at The Seaport

What’s happening: Lincoln brings its flagship Navigator Black Label SUV to Seaport for a special two-day showcase, offering guests an opportunity to experience the brand’s signature craftsmanship and new features up close at New York City’s picturesque Seaport. Visitors will be introduced to Lincoln Rejuvenate, a multisensory interior experience designed to transform every drive into a moment of calm. The event highlights the model’s refined design details, exclusive materials, and immersive technologies, reflecting Lincoln’s ongoing evolution of modern American luxury.

Why go: The showcase offers rare first access to the 2025 Lincoln Black Label Navigator, available only through select retailers. Guests will have a chance to sit inside the vehicle, explore its premium features, and connect with brand representatives in an intimate, design-driven setting. For enthusiasts of automotive luxury and innovation, this is an exclusive opportunity to experience the craftsmanship, technology, and serenity that define the next generation of Lincoln.

What’s involved: Preview the new Lincoln Navigator.

Thursday, October 2, 2025 and Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM at The Seaport near Fulton and Water Streets. Information and RSVP here.

FIREBIRD – An Immersive Light & Sound Experience on Governors Island

What’s happening: Governors Island becomes a stage of light and sound with the New York premiere of FIREBIRD, an immersive performance by the Amsterdam-based collective Touki Delphine. Inspired by Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, the experience begins with audiences donning metallic capes and joining a shimmering processional across the island before arriving at the Parade Ground. There, 500 salvaged car taillights ignite in hypnotic synchrony with a contemporary score, transforming the night sky into a dazzling orchestra of light.

Why go: FIREBIRD is a rare chance to encounter art that fuses music, design, and performance with an ecological conscience. Presented as part of Governors Island Arts’ Interventions series, the work has traveled internationally from MASS MoCA to European stages and now arrives in New York for just two nights. Beyond the spectacle, guests are invited to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and—for those staying at Collective Retreats—extend the evening with dinner, s’mores, and stargazing. It is at once a performance, a procession, and a communal act of wonder.

What’s involved: Join a glittering processional, witness a large-scale light and sound installation, and mingle with the artists post-performance.

Friday, October 3, 2025 and Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Parade Ground, Governors Island, New York Harbor. Information and tickets here.

Advertising Week NY

What’s happening: Advertising Week returns to Manhattan with a reimagined edition that promises four days of immersive content, networking, and innovation across marketing, media, technology, and culture. The Penn District becomes a hub for over 16,000 attendees, 1,200 speakers, and 500+ sessions spanning 28 content tracks. Expect marquee keynotes, interactive activations, and surprise appearances designed to spark ideas and partnerships at the industry’s most dynamic gathering.

Why go: Few events match the scale or energy of Advertising Week New York. This year’s roster includes Jackie Aina, Byron Allen, Kevin Bacon, Laurie Lam, and senior leaders from TIME, Meta, PepsiCo, and Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, alongside creators Claudia Oshry and Dhar Mann. The week also offers reserved seating for Super Delegates and expanded capacity for Platinum Pass holders, ensuring you won’t miss headline conversations. For industry professionals, it is the rare convergence of networking, culture, and thought leadership in one city-defining event.

What’s involved: Keynotes, 500+ sessions, brand activations, curated networking, and surprise appearances.

Monday, October 6, 2025 until Thursday, October 9, 2025 at The Penn District, 100 W. 33rd Street, New York, NY. Information, schedule of events, and registration here.

Denyce Graves Foundation Harvest Moon Gala with Andrea Bocelli

What’s happening: Under the vaulted arches of Guastavino’s, the Denyce Graves Foundation presents its annual Harvest Moon Gala— on the night of the Harvest Moon— an evening dedicated to uniting people through music and storytelling. The gala honors four extraordinary cultural leaders—Andrea Bocelli, Dr. Louise Toppin, Chandrika Tandon, and Francesca Zambello—for their artistry, vision, and commitment to fostering a more compassionate world. The evening will be hosted by journalist Deborah Roberts and will culminate in a special guest performance by Bocelli alongside artists from the Foundation.

Why go: More than a benefit, this gala is a celebration of music’s power to inspire connection and preserve overlooked cultural legacies. With honorary gala chairs Suzi Cordish and Barbara Tober, gala chair Ann Gottlieb, and vice chair Julie Goddard, the event draws leaders from across the arts, philanthropy, and society. Attendees will experience a rare performance by Bocelli in an intimate setting, while supporting educational programs, scholarships, and initiatives that ensure every voice finds its place on the world stage.

What’s involved: Cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, and a special performance by Andrea Bocelli and guest artists.

Monday, October 6, 2025 with cocktails at 6:00 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM. until late at Guastavino’s, 409 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022. Information and tickets here.

Clemente Bar's First Anniversary

What’s happening: In just one year, Clemente Bar has established itself as one of Flatiron’s most magnetic late-night destinations, pairing sleek interiors with a playful spirit. The bar, founded by a group of hospitality veterans with a shared love of neighborhood haunts and design-forward spaces, quickly drew a following for its refined cocktails served in a setting that nods to both mid-century lounges and contemporary art studios, particularly the home of artist Francesco Clemente.

Why go: The anniversary offers the perfect chance to toast a venue that has become a Flatiron favorite in record time. Guests will enjoy cocktails at celebratory prices while revisiting the cocktails and warm hospitality that put Clemente Bar on the city’s cultural map. With a year of buzz behind it and a loyal clientele to match, the evening promises both style and substance—an occasion to honor the past twelve months while sipping into the next chapter.

What’s involved: $10 cocktails.

Friday, October 10, 2025 from 10:00 PM until late at Clemente Bar. Information and here.

WatchTime New York 2025

What’s happening: Since its inception, WatchTime New York has grown into America’s most important public watch fair, bringing together collectors, enthusiasts, and the industry’s leading maisons under the storied roof of Gotham Hall. Across three days, guests encounter brand presentations, in-depth panels, and direct access to the creators shaping modern horology. The event combines discovery and dialogue, offering rare chances to see new releases, connect with watchmakers, and celebrate the enduring artistry of fine timepieces in a convivial and knowledgeable setting.

Why go: The fair convenes an extraordinary roster of brands, from Breguet, Glashütte Original, and Ulysse Nardin to independents like Armin Strom, Czapek Genève, and Moritz Grossmann. Collectors can expect conversations with industry leaders, insider panels, and first looks at rare models. WatchTime New York attracts both seasoned aficionados and new devotees, making it an unmissable opportunity to immerse in the culture, craft, and prestige of haute horlogerie.

What’s involved: Explore watch brand showcases, attend panels, and connect with collectors and industry leaders.

Friday, October 17, 2025 until Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM at Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway, New York, NY 10018. Information and here.

Casita Maria’s Fiesta! 2025 Celebrating 91 Years

What’s happening: For more than nine decades, Casita Maria has been a cornerstone of creativity, education, and opportunity in the South Bronx and East Harlem. This October, the organization celebrates its 91st anniversary with Fiesta! 2025. True to tradition, the gala will honor an inspiring group of leaders while raising vital support for Casita Maria’s transformative programs, which nurture children and families through arts, culture, and youth development rooted in creativity, leadership, and resilience.

Why go: One of the most exciting and genuinely festive evenings on the calendar, the Fiesta! is more than a benefit—it is a celebration of Casita Maria’s mission to empower young people through holistic, asset-based, and youth-driven approaches. Fiesta! 2025 will pay tribute to four remarkable honorees: Kamie Lightburn, David X. Sanchez, Tina Vidal-Duart, and Barbara Tober— individuals whose leadership and philanthropy exemplify Casita Maria’s mission.

What’s involved: Black-tie gala with cocktail reception, honoree tributes, dinner, and dancing.

Monday, October 20, 2025 from 7:30 PM until late at The Plaza, Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, New York, NY 10019. Find information and tickets here or by emailing fiesta@casitamaria.org.

FREE EVENT: What the Water Told Me by Oleksandra Zborovska at Teatro LATEA

What’s happening: Presented as part of the Ukrainian Cultural Festival, What the Water Told Me brings the haunting lens of Oleksandra Zborovska to New York. The exhibition documents the aftermath of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant destruction in the artist’s hometown of Zaporizhzhia. Using black and white film, color film soaked in the Dnipro River, and cyanotypes, Zborovska creates an arresting dialogue between memory, environment, and human experience. Each image is a collaboration with nature, where the river itself leaves its trace.

Why go: The exhibition captures the transformation of the riverbanks with stark intimacy, from dried shorelines and stranded boats to vanishing ecosystems. Zborovska interweaves these scenes with her own childhood memories, offering both a deeply personal and ecological reflection on war’s impact. The opening night reception includes a conversation with the artist moderated by Anastasia Gudko, accompanied by light bites from Veselka. As part of the month-long Ukrainian Cultural Festival, the show situates itself within a wider dialogue of artists working Against the Grain, reshaping global perspectives on resilience and creativity.

What’s involved: Photography exhibition.

Sunday, October 26th, 2025 until October 30th, 2025 from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM with an opening reception on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The exhibition is free and open to the public at Teatro LATEA, 107 Suffolk Street, Suite 413, New York, NY 10002. Information and RSVP here.

Ukrainian Cultural Festival information and events calendar here.

American Australian Association Benefit Dinner Honoring Jennifer Nason

What’s happening: At Cipriani Wall Street, the American Australian Association hosts its signature Benefit Dinner, a storied evening first envisioned by Sir Keith Murdoch when he founded the Association in 1948 to deepen ties between the United States and Australia. This year’s gathering celebrates Jennifer Nason, who recently concluded a distinguished 39-year career at J.P. Morgan, where she served as Global Chairman of Investment Banking. A longtime leader of the Association, she has been a steadfast champion of the alliance, guiding business and cultural exchange with remarkable vision.

Why go: The Benefit Dinner convenes more than 500 leaders across business, government, and diplomacy, making it one of the most influential trans-Pacific gatherings in New York. Past honorees include James Gorman, Andrew Liveris, Rupert Murdoch, and Jamie Dimon—underscoring the caliber of recognition. Beyond its prestige, the evening directly supports scholarship and exchange programs that have already empowered over 1,100 American and Australian leaders in graduate study, the arts, veterans’ initiatives, and Indigenous engagement. Attending means investing in the next generation of voices shaping both nations’ futures.

What’s involved: Cocktails, gala dinner, tribute to honoree Jennifer Nason, and celebration of the American-Australian alliance.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 6:00 PM until late at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005. Information and tickets here.